Floor sweeper



May 1, 1945. A. v. BUNNELI. 2,374,977

y FLOOR swEEPER Fild Aug. 28, 194s 2 sheets-sheet 1 May 1, 1945.

A. BUNNELL FLOOR SWEEPER Filed Aug. 28, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. en/af? l/. .5mm/5a RQ ATTORNEYS Patented May 1,' 194s FLOOR SWEEPEB Arthur Valentine Bunnell, Westiield, N. J., as-

slgnor to Bowen Research Corporation, G

wood, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey l Application August 28, 1948, Serial No. 500,312

3 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in floor sweepers, for use in spray drying equipment of the general type described inthe patent to Bowen No. 1,946,566, whereby spray dried material can be more eiectively collected from the oor of the drying chamber.

The floor sweepers at present in use are characterized by the fact that they are not adiust able as to height relative to the floor of the drying chamber. 'I'he present invention provides certain novel means whereby this desirable characteristic of adjustability may be achieved.

In addition, the present invention provides an improved construction of floor-sweeper nozzle which acts with superior emciency over those heretofore employed.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent as it is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation, partly broken away and in section to illustrate the interior of a ioor sweeper constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the sweeper shown in Fig. 1:

Fig. 3 is a view in section taken on line 3-2` of an elongated hollow shell, formed with olmo-- sitely extending arms I2 and I3. The arms I2 and I3 are provided respectively with nozzles I4 and I5. It will be seen that nozzles Il and I5 extend in opposite directions. Each nozzle Il and I5 preferably extends the full length of the arm of the sweeper to which it is attached.

'I'he sweeper is mounted upon a spindle I6 whichis journaled in anti-friction bearings I1 and I8 and threaded at its upper end I9. The shell II is mounted upon the threaded portion I9 by means ofl a nut 20 which is welded tothe floor sweeper shell at 2 I. A lock nut 22 serves to hold the sweeper ilrmly in place.

If desired, the spindle I6 may have a keyway 23 cut therein to receive a key 24 which may be in engagement with a collar 25 secured Ito have angles 21 weiden thereto, which angles i1 are amxed to the hollow shell I I at 2B.

The hollow shell II is further provided with a flange 28 which serves as a baille to inhibit the escape of air from the hollow shell II.

In operation, air enters through the air duct 20 below the floor of the drying chamber and passes upwardly through a vertical duct 2I and the straps 28. The air then is forced out through 'the nozzles I4 and I5 and performs its sweeping action upon the spray dried particles that have fallen to the floor of the drying chamber I0.

Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings further indicate the positioning of an orice 82, shown in the preferred embodiment as closed by cover plate 32 and held in place by means of bolts I4.

When it is desired to raise the height of the floor sweeper relative to the floor of the drying chamber I0, the key 24 is removed (access be'- ing provided through aperture l2) and the lock nut 22 is backed away from the shell II. Thereafter, the noor sweeper shell II, together with the nut 20, are rotated upon the threaded portion I9 of spindle I6 until the desired height is attained. The lock nut 22 is then again tightened upon the shell II and the key I4 is replaced thus precluding any further movement of the shell upon the spindle I6.

Alternatively, the threaded portion I9 of the spindle I6 may terminate in a square end II. In this case adjustment of the height of the sweeper may be achieved after removal of the key 24 by loosening the lock nut 22 and turning the spindle by means of the squared end 35.

The invention provides an improved floor sweeper which is capable of adjustment as to height relative to the iloor of the spray drying chamber in which it 1s mounted, thus permitting an increase or decreaseof velocity of the air issuing from the floor sweeper without the neces# sity of changing the amount or velocity of the air entering the intake duct. It further provides, by means of the improved nozzle, the delivery of a uniform and continuous current of air to all parts of the floor `of the spray drying chamber whereby greater efliciency of collection of the spray dried particles is achieved.

It will be evident that numerous changes in form and detail are possible within the scope of the invention and although a specific embodiment has been described above, it is not intended to be limited in any way thereby. except as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

the hollow shell Il, by straps 26. The straps 26 55 1, A door sweeper for use 1n spray drying apparatus comprising an elongated shell adapted to be positioned in the lower portion of a spray drying chamber, a spindle rotatably mounted in the said lower portion oi said spray drying chamber, bearing means for supporting said spindle rotatably and in an upright position, means positioned centrally of theI top of said shell for engaging said spindle and adjusting said shell axially of said spindle, means in the lower portion of said shell for engaging said spindle, cooperating means on said spindle and said means in the lower portion of said shell for locking said shell to said spindle in adjusted position, and means for introducing a fluid into said shell.

2. A iioor sweeper for use in spray drying apparatus comprising an elongated shell adapted to be positioned in the lower portion of a spray drying chamber having a plurality of oppositely disposed arms, each having a laterally and downwardly directed fluid discharge slot extending lengthwise ol' said arm in the lower side portion thereof, said slots being in corresponding positions in said arms to cause rotation of said shell by reaction, a spindle rotatably mounted in the said lower portion of said spray drying chamber,

said spindle having a threaded portion at one end thereof, bearing means for supporting said spindle rotatably and in an upright position with the threaded portion disposed upwardly, means for adjusting said shell axially of said threaded portion of said spindle, locking means to secure said shell against rotation relative to said spindle. and means for introducing a iiuid into said shell.

3. A floor sweeper for use in spray drying apparatus comprising an elongated shell adapted to be positioned in the lower portion oi a spray drying chamber having a plurality of oppositely disposed arms, ,each having at least one laterally and downwardly directed discharge slot extending lengthwise of a side portion thereof, a spindle rotatably mounted in the said lower portion of said spray drying chamber, said spindle having a.

threaded portion at one end thereof, bearing means for supporting said spindle rotatably and in an upright position with the threaded portion disposed upwardlly, means at the top of said shell for engaging and adjusting said shell axially of the threaded portion of said spindle, a central opening in the bottom o! said shell, means extending across said opening and engaging said spindle to support said shell on said spindle, cooperating locking means on said spindle and said shell supporting means to secure said shell against rotation relative to said spindle, conduit means extending into said opening and spaced from said shell for introducing a iluid through said opening into said shell, and sealing means between said conduit means and said shell.

ARTHUR VALENTINE BUNNELL. 

